SiGMA World 2026 Brings Sports Stars and Business Leaders to Rome

SiGMA World 2026 will take place at Fiera Roma, Italy, from 2–5 November, with a programme featuring former elite athletes, technology entrepreneurs and entertainment personalities.

The event will also host Affiliate Grand Slam (AGS), which connects affiliate marketing professionals with figures from sport, business and digital technology.

Alongside the gaming industry, the programme will cover affiliate marketing, financial markets and emerging technologies, reflecting the range of sectors represented at the four-day event.

Football Legends and Combat Sports Champions Join the Line-Up

Football will feature prominently, with former Italy international Marco Materazzi among the announced guests. Materazzi was part of the Italian squad that won the 2006 FIFA World Cup and also played for Inter Milan.

He will be joined by Javier Zanetti, the former Inter Milan captain and Argentina international, whose career included an extended spell at the Italian club.

Former France international Djibril Cissé is also scheduled to attend. His playing career included spells at Liverpool and Olympique de Marseille, alongside appearances in international competitions.

Combat sports will have a strong presence through Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion who later moved into professional boxing. Ngannou, an ambassador for Solid Icon, is scheduled to appear at Fiera Roma on 3 and 4 November.

Georgian mixed martial artist Merab Dvalishvili, known for his wrestling-based fighting style, is another confirmed guest.

Motorsport will be represented by Giancarlo Fisichella, the former Formula One driver who secured three Grand Prix victories during his career.

Technology Investment and Luxury Business in Focus

The event will also feature entrepreneurs and investors working across venture capital, cryptocurrency and luxury goods.

Tim Draper, founder of Draper Associates, is known for backing technology businesses and supporting entrepreneurs developing products and services in emerging sectors.

Charlie Lee, who created Litecoin in 2011, will bring a perspective from the cryptocurrency and blockchain sector. Litecoin emerged as an alternative to Bitcoin and has become an established digital asset.

The luxury market will be represented by Jacob Arabo, founder of jewellery and watch brand Jacob & Co. The company is known for its distinctive designs and collaborations spanning luxury products and entertainment.

Their participation adds investment, digital finance and luxury branding to the range of business interests represented at SiGMA World.

Affiliate Grand Slam Connects Entertainment and Digital Marketing

Affiliate Grand Slam will bring together affiliate marketing specialists, digital platforms and personalities from the entertainment industry as part of the wider Rome programme.

Among its announced participants is Jeannie Mai, the Emmy-winning American television host known for co-hosting The Real. She is set to participate in her role as CEO of HelpGrid.

Sara Al Madani, an entrepreneur, investor and speaker from the United Arab Emirates, is also included in the line-up, with experience spanning several business sectors.

Representatives from social media platforms including TikTok and Snapchat are expected to contribute to discussions around digital advertising, creator-led content discovery and audience acquisition.

The AGS programme will provide a meeting point for affiliate marketing professionals and digital platform representatives, complementing SiGMA World’s wider focus on gaming, technology and business development.